(Matthew 19:1-9)
See Proverbs 5:18, 18:22; Ecclesiastes 9:9; Hebrews 13:4. What do all these verses have in common? I don’t think it is hard for us to see that all of them talk about how much of a blessing it is to be married, yet a very different message is being preached in our culture today. In our society marriage is something that is becoming more and more obsolete.
This can be seen in a variety of different ways (ex: gay marriage, divorce, fewer couples are being married today than ever before). All of this only complicates our evangelistic efforts!
Let’s remind ourselves of what the scriptures declare about this important issue.
Marriage is God’s creation.
- God created this sacred relationship in the beginning (Genesis 2:18-24).
- Marriage is literally almost as old as dirt!
- God made marriage good; just like everything else.
- Since God created marriage, that means He has the right to set the rules for it!
God has rules for marriage.
- Jesus taught the Pharisees about God’s original intent for marriage in Matthew 19:3-9.
- Marriage is to be between one man and one woman (vs. 4).
- A husband and a woman are “joined” together as “one” (vs. 5).
- It is to be a life-long relationship (vs. 6). See Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:39.
- Divorce is permitted under one specific condition (vs. 9). See Luke 16:18.
- This is the standard by which we will be judged on the last day (John 12:48).
God has a purpose for marriage.
- There are several purposes for marriage.
- It satisfied the need for companionship (Genesis 2:18).
- It allows people to be sexually pure (Hebrews 13:4).
- The main purpose of marriage is to reveal the glory of God!
- We have to make sure we glorify God in our marriages (1 Corinthians 10:31).
- We do this by allowing God to rule in our marriages.
- We also do this by striving to treat our spouses right (1 Peter 3:7).
Conclusion: You don’t have to get married to go to heaven. You do have to believe in Jesus and be baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16). Have you done this?
